Q. I'm having trouble sleeping and my heart is racing after taking the herbal medicine. Is this a side effect? Should I keep taking it?

I completely understand how disorienting and unsettling it can be to experience insomnia or palpitations. Having studied and experimented with these treatments myself in the past, I empathize with that feeling of agitation. From a medical perspective, weight-loss herbal medicines activate the sympathetic nervous system to increase the basal metabolic rate. This process can lead to an increased heart rate or a state of heightened alertness, resulting in insomnia or palpitations. Think of it as a form of 'heat' generated when running an engine at high speed. In Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM), this is viewed as a state of 'Yin Deficiency' (陰虛), where a lack of bodily fluids leads to the emergence of 'deficient heat' (虛熱). Those with a 'Spleen Deficiency' (脾虛) constitution—characterized by weak digestive functions—or those with accumulated 'phlegm-fluid' (痰飮) may react more sensitively to the medication. Forcing yourself to endure these symptoms can increase stress, which may actually decrease the efficiency of your weight loss. The best approach is to notify us immediately. We can help your body adapt more comfortably by modifying the blend of medicinal herbs or adding ingredients that clear heat and calm the system. Please do not ignore the signals your body is sending. My role is to work with you to find the most comfortable and effective balance for your health. Please feel free to reach out at any time.